"The
8
measures taken last summer, however, had reference only to temporary defence; but the Secretary of State for War is desirous, now that the emergency has passed, of considering the steps that should be taken for placing these defences on a more permanent footing. With this view, as the defence of the Dockyard and Naval Station at Esquimalt is most intimately connected with that of the adjoining harbour of Victoria, Secretary Colonel Stanley would not only direct the officer whom he might send to place himself in communication with the Dominion Government, but would be most glad to secure the co-operation of any officer the Dominion Government may direct to meet him, as he con- siders that the defence of the two harbours, to be effectual, must be carried out by the Imperial and Colonial Governments in conjunction.
Colonel Stanley does not propose that the Dominion Government should bear the expense of sending out the officer.
I have, &c.
(Secret and Confidential.) Sir,
(Signed)
No. 6.
Colonial Office to Admiralty.
EUSTAĆE, E. CECIL.
Downing Street, January 23, 1879, I AM directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit to you, to be laid before the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, an extract of a despatch from the Governor of Western Australia with reference to the proposal to give up King George's Sound as a coaling station; and I am to request to be informed if it in any way affects the decision already taken by their Lordships.
I am, &c.
(Signed)
No. 7.
R. H. MEADE,
9
No. 8.
The Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart., to the Marquis of Lorne, K.G. (Secret.)
Downing Street, February 3, 1879. My Lord,
WITH reference to my Secret despatch of the 6th September, and to Lord Dufferin's cypher telegram of the 28th of that month, relative to the works for the defence of Esqui- malt and Victoria, I have the honour to inform your Lordship that I have been in communication with the Secretary of State for War on the subject, and that Colonel Stanley is desirous, now that any immediate danger of war has been averted, of con- <sidering the steps that should be taken for placing those defences on a more permanent
footing.
2. Referring to the promptitude and energy displayed by the Dominion Government in connection with the temporary defence of Esquimalt and Victoria, Colonel Stanley has expressed himself most anxious that no steps should be taken with respect to the permanent defences of Esquimalt without the full and entire concurrence and co-operation of your Government.
3. With this view, and as the defence of the Dockyard and Naval Station at Esqui- malt are most intimately connected with that of the adjoining harbour of Victoria, the Secretary of State for War proposes to send an officer to Vancouver Island to prepare plans and reports with reference to the permanent defences of Esquimalt and Victoria. Colonel Stanley would not only direct the officer whom he might send to place himself in communication with the Dominion Government, but would be most glad to secure the co-operation of any officer your Lordship's Government may direct to meet him, as he considers that the defence of the two harbours, to be effectual, must be carried out by the Imperial and Colonial Governments in conjunction.
4. Colonel Stanley does not propose that the Dominion Government should bear the expense of sending out the officer.
5. I request that your Lordship will be good enough to bring this proposal under the consideration of your Ministers, and to favour me with an early reply.
I have, &c.
(Signed) M. E. HICKS BEACH.
The Marquis of Lorne, K.G., to the Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart.— (Received February 1.)
(No. 13.) Sir,
Government House, Ottawa, January 16, 1879. WITH reference to the correspondence which has passed with my predecessor on the subject of Colonial defensive organization, I have the honour of transmitting herewith a copy of a letter from the Department of the Minister of Militia and Defence, covering copies of plans of works recently constructed to protect the harbour of Esquimalt,+ and to request that you will be good enough to cause them to be forwarded to the Secretary of State for War.
I have, &c.
Sir,
(Signed)
Inclosure in No. 7.
LORNE.
Ottawa, January 16, 1879.
IN reply to despatch (Secret) of the 6th September, 1878, relative to the defence of Esquimalt and Victoria Harbours, in British Columbia, I am directed by the Honourable the Minister of Militia and Defence to transmit the inclosed Report from Lieutenant- General Sir E. Selby Smyth, C.M.G., together with that (printed) of Lieutenant-Colonel Irwin, Royal Artillery, and plans and sketches referring thereto; and to request that bis Excellency the Governor-General may be pleased to forward the same to Her Majesty's Government, in compliance with the demand of the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies.
I have, &c. (Signed) E. PANET,
Deputy Minister of Militia and Defence.
The Military Secretary to his Excellency the Governor-General,
Ottawa.
• No. 347 of Miscellaneous, No. 35 E.
+ Not printed.
(Secret and Confidential.)
No. 9.
Colonial Office to War Office.
Sir,
Downing Street, February 7, 1879. WITH reference to the Secret and Confidential letter from this Department of the 5th September last,† on the subject of the defence of Esquimalt and Victoria, I am directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit to you, to be laid before Secretary Colonel Stanley, a copy of a despatch from the Marquis of Lorne, inclosing a copy of a letter from the Department of the Minister of Militia and Defence, forwarding copies of plans of works recently constructed to protect the harbour of Esquimalt.
2. It will be seen from the copy of the despatch to the Governor-General of Canada, dated the 6th September, inclosed in the letter from this Department already referred to, that the plans now inclosed were requested for the use of the Colonial Defence Committee; but as the War Office is now dealing with the question of the defence of Esquimalt and Victoria, it has been considered advisable to forward the plans direct to you.
(Secret and Confidential.)
Šir,
I am, &c. (Signed)
R. H. MEADE.
No. 10.
Downing Street, February 7, 1879.
Colonial Office to Admiral Sir A. Milne, Bart., G.C.B.
WITH reference to Sir H. Barkly's Secret and Confidential letter of the 26th August last, § on the subject of the defence of Esquimalt and Victoria, I am directed by the Secre tary of State for the Colonies to state, for the information of the Colonial Defence Com
• No. 325 of Miscellaneous, No. 35 E.
+ No. 7.
+ No. 324 of Miscellaneous. No. 35 E,
§ No. 312 of Miscellaneous, No. 35 E.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
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4 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
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